Box ratchet wrench



Oct. 12, 1954 A. J. BRAME 2,691,316 BOX RATCHET WRENCH Filed DGO. 18, 1952 H G. 2 /B 6 /a ff /z f :'L "e 7/ I l Mui. y '1" nl M /z ,y Pls. 4.

INVENTOR f 27 /Zy/g 20 f5 a -ALLEN J. BRAME ATTORNEYS Patented ct. 12, 1954 UNITED STATES l oi-'FICE BOX RATCHET WRENCH Application December 18, 1952, Serial No. 326,693

5 Claims.

My invention consists in new and useful improvements in a box ratchet Wrench of the type adaptable for use for nut-engaging sockets or having direct nut-engaging members. More particularly the invention relates to Wrenches of the general type illustrated and described in the copending application of Herbert L. Fish, Serial No. 234,078 led June 28, 1951, wherein the wrench head carries a ratchet hub and is provided with an extended shank, adapted to serve both as a handle and as an extension handle mounting means.

In order that a wrench of this type may be of maximum utility, it should be capable of operation from Various angles of approach and it should be so constructed as to have adequate strength without bulk, combined with the property of being operable in restricted areas. It should also be so constructed that the stud on a nut being tightened, as it lengthens, does not dislodge the Wrench and/ or socket from the nut; and in the case of a socket wrench the various, sized sockets should be readily interchangeable with a minimum of effort. The wrench of said copending Fish application possesses these advantages, but in its manufacture, its parts are machined from orgings or other similar piece material which requires considerable time, skill and effort in order to produce a completely satisfactory wrench.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved box ratchet wrench and socket construction which embodies all of the desirable characteristics of the wrench of the said copending Fish application, but is constructed of a series of complementary stampings which are assembled in a manner to provide an extremely high torque value, thus greatly simplifying the construction and assembly of the wrench parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved box ratchet Wrench formed of a series of stampings of substantially identical contour and secured together by rivets, the arrangement being such that the rivets themselves carry o sheer loads and are subject to only small tensile stresses necessary to hold the stampings in assembled relationship.

A further object of the invention is to provide laminations, the pawl mechanism being supported by the intermediate laminations.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features herein set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings in which numerals of like character designate similar parts throughout the several views;

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of lthe wrench showing a pivoted extension handle in place;

Fig. 2 is a View in side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a slightly enlarged top plan View with the top stamping broken away; and

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional View taken on line li-ll of Fig. 3.

In the drawings the wrench body generally indicated by the numeral 5, consists of an annular head t adapted to receive a ratchet hub l, and having an extended shank 8, the latter being provided at its free end with a squared aperture 9 adapted to receive the pivoted squared end IB, of an extension handle il.

The wrench body consists of a pair oi superimposed outer stampings i2 and I3, formed oi suitable heat treated metal and spaced by one or more metal laminations ll. The head ends of these stampings are provided with bores it, which are concentrically aligned when the stampings are assembled, as shown in Fig. 4, to rotatably engage the annular shoulders il? extending from the top and bottom of the hub i, as will be hereinafter described.

The spacer laminations Ill are transversely drilled at suitable spaced points Il and provided with bushings I8 for receiving connecting pins or rivets I9 which pass through and secure the stampings l2 and I3. As shown in Fig. e, the main web of each stamping is formed with openings to receive the rivets i9 and the defining edges of the openings are dimpled as at 2t. The opposed dimples of respective stampings extend inwardly and are received by the corresponding ends of the bushing passageways il in the laminations it, the bushings i8 being of such a length that the opposite end faces of the same are engaged by the inner extremities of respective dimples 20, when the stampings are secured together by the rivets I9.

The plan prole of each of the laminations ifi is identical with that of the extended shank portion 8 of the opposed stampings i2 and it, but the laminations terminate short oi the head pol'- tions 6 of said stampings, where their ends assume a concave form as at 2l, to accommodate the periphery of an annular series of ratchet teeth 22, extending radially between the opposed shoulders I6 of the hub l. When the wrench parts are assembled as shown in Fig. 4, the annular series of ratchet teeth 22 lie between the spaced, annularhead portions Go'f the stampings I2 and I3, which are of a size and shape to completely overlie the series of ratchet teeth. The oppositely disposed annular shoulders i6 are rotatably supported in the respective bores I `in the head ii, so as to permit rotation of the hubl.

The ends of the spacing 'laminations It lwhich jointly form a spacer block, are provided, :adjacent the periphery of the series of ratchet teeth 22, with a generally circular -recess .23 .for receiving a pivotally mounted pawl member 24 and permitting its movement into and Iout o engagement with the ratchet teeth, under the tension of a suitable spring -25 `which urges the free end of the pawl into 'operative .position against the'ratchet teeth. This pawl 2d lhas its pivot point 25 located'in the stampings fill, adjacent the recess 23 .and is heldrinplace by the opposed inner faces of the outer stampings lf2 and I3. rl'hus, the hub 'l is rotatably supported through its shoulders IB and the Vopposed lbores Iii in the stampings `I2 and i3, while the pawl and spring mechanism :for actuating'theratchet, is mounted entirely within :the Alaminations Ill, interposed between the stampings [Zand I3.

A central aperture .2l is providedzin the hub l and is formed with a series :of nut-engaging surfaces or teeth which Ymay vary in number depending upon the type of nut vto'be operated upon or the nature of the tting with which it is to be used.

lit will be readilyapparentthat the described structure snugly and rigidly .contines the ratchet hub i for rotation' in the hub 5, withza maximum smoothness of operation. llhe opposed surfaces of the stampings I2 and I3 adjacent the head portion (i, bear respectively on the upper and lower surfaces of the radial projection of the hub, adjacent the series of teeth liwhile 'the sides oi the shoulders it bear against-the edges of th'1 aligned bores I5 formed inthestampings I2 and i3. A verystrong wrenchhead lis'thus provided and the top and bottom 'surfaces of the shoulders IG, being substantially hush with the adjacent surfaces ofthe head', minimum dimensions are maintained without a Vsacriiice of strength or rigidity.

Furthermore, by providing the stamped and laminated body structure as described, the dimples 28 formed in thestampings I2 yand I3, engage the corresponding laminations Id which carry the pawl 2t, andsupport kthe loads set up in the use of the wrench, Athrough the webs lof the stampings. The hub 'l' is supported in all rotative positions through the head=extensionsf on the stampings, while the rivets i9 resist the separating forces in theoperationof-the wrench.

As before stated, Iunder some conditions the extension 8 may be used 'ashandle itself, particularly whenstarting the ltightening of fa, nut or the like. The handle extension Il 'may then be applied where more orcelisirequire'd.

There are many .advantageous .features of Aa wrench constructed in accordance withthisinvention. VFor example, its small diameter head and its relatively short lengthgprovidefa maximum of adaptability-for uses-in'connedplaces. Theratcheting-arc is very-small and-it has an departing from the spirit of the invention as .setiorth .in the following claims.

I claim: `1. A :socket wrench, comprising: a pair of stampingafeach Stamping including a head por- 'tion'and an extended shank; a spacer member disposed betweensaid stampings; the shanizs of said stampings being formed with coaxially aligned openings registering with passageways transversely extending through said spacer member, the dening .edges of 'the -coaxially aligned Iopenings in .said .Shanks being :inturned to form integral 4with said stampings annular shear-.resisting .elements receivedwithin and engaging Ythe wall surfaces at the lopposite vends of thepassageway registering with the coaxially aligned openings of said stampings; and elongate means extending through said openings and passageway for securing said stampings togetherr with Vthe .spacer member therebetween, said elongate means :being free of any shear stresses induced into said stampings through reception of said annular.shear-resisting elements within thefopposite ends .of each passageway.

2. A ratchetivrench ofthe type described, comprising: a pair `of -stampings, each stamping including a head `portion and a shank portion extending therefrom; a spacer member disposed between said stampings, the shank portions of said stampings 'being lformed with 'coaxially aligned apertures registering .with passageways transversely extending :through said spacer member, the dening'edges-of the apertures in said shank portions being inturned to form shear-resisting elements receivedwithin and engaging the wall surfaces at the opposite ends of said passageway; elongate means extending through said apertures and passageway for securing said stampings together -Withthe spacer member therebetween; the head portions of-said stampings being formed with relatively large coaxially alignedvcircular openings; ahub member having the opposite'ends thereof journalled in said circular openings; a series of ratchet teeth oircumferentially formed about said `hub intermediate the endsthereof; and atleast'one pawl pivotally `carried by said spacer lmember and spring biased into .engagement with said teeth whereby said hub Sis rotatably driven as said wrench is rotated.

3. A box ratchet wrench, comprising: a head portion land anextended shankfportion, formed of a pair of opposed stampings, and a spacer blocl; interposed between said stampings and of a plan proiile substantially similar to the shank portions thereof; the shanlrportions of said stampings being formed with a plurality of spaced coaxially aligned apertures registering with passageways transversely extending through said spacerbloclc; the/definingv edges of saidy apertures being inturned t'o 'form shear-resisting elements integral with saidshank portions .and engaged with 4.the wall .surfaces atopposite-.ends of said registering passageway; saidhead portion hav ing aibore. avhubjournalledfor rotation in said bore, said hub having an opening therein with its wall concentric with the axis of rotation of the hub; nut engaging surfaces formed on the wall of said opening; elongate means extending through said openings and passageways for securing said stampings together with the spacer block therebetween; and ratchet means operatively connecting the hub and spacer block whereby the hub may be rotated upon rotation of the Wrench, the forces induced into the hub during use of the wrench being transmitted to said stampings through said shear-resisting elements engaged with the wall surfaces of said passageways.

4. A socket wrench, comprising: a pair of stampings, each stamping including a head portion and a shank portion extending therefrom; a spacer member disposed between said stampings of a plan profile substantially similar to the shank portions of said stampings; the head portions of said stampings being each formed with a relatively large circular opening; ahub member having a radially extending circumferential ange presenting annular oppositely facing shoulders thereon, the opposite ends of said hub member being rotatablyT mounted in said circular openings; the shank portions of said stampings being formed with coaXially aligned openings registering with passageways transversely extending through said spacer member, the dening edges of the apertures in said shank portions being inturned to form annular shear-resisting elements to be received within and engaging the wail surfaces at opposite ends of the passageway registering therewith; and elongate means extending through said openings and passageways for securing said stampings together with the spacer member disposed between the shank portions thereof and the hub element between the head portions of said stampings with the inner surfaces of the head portions of said stampings engaged with said oppositely facing shoulders of the hub, said elongate means being free of any shear stresses induced into said stampings through reception of said annular shear-resisting element within the opposite ends of each passageway.

5. A wrench as set forth in claim 1 which includes a series of ratchet teeth arranged about the flange of said hub; and at least one pawl means pivotally mounted on said spacer member and spring biased into engagement with said teeth whereby said hub s rotatably driven as said wrench is rotated.

References Cited in the rlle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,428,082 Reese Sept. 12, 1922 2,185,002 Pack Dec. 26, 1939 2,421,038 Schultz May 27, 1947 2,500,835 Lang Mar. 14, 1950 

